Dispensing apparatus



P H. s. CHILDERS 2,482,245

DI SPENS ING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 26, 1944' 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

HHRR) S- CH/L 05x5 fl T'TORNEY.

Sept; 20, 1949. V H. s. CHILDERS 2,432,245

DISPENSING APPARATUS V Filed Feb. 26, 1944 5 Shee'ts-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. H HER y 5. CH/z. 052s iww/Dijz/w.

ATTOIQNEY.

' P 1949- H. s. CHlL-DERS DISPENSING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 26, 1944 m T m V m HHRRY- 5. C'H/L 0525 BY Sept. 20, 1949.

H. s. CHILDERS DISPENSING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 26, 1944 ATTORNEY- Patented Sept. 20, 1949 DISPENSING APPARATUS Harry S. Childers, Fresno, Calif., assignor to Vendorlator Manufacturing Company, Fresno.

Calif.

Application February 26, 1944, Serial No. 524,020

6 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for dispensing articles of various characters, and it has particular reference to dispensing apparatus as used in coin-operated vending machines, and especially, although not necessarily, to machines for vending bottles containing beverages.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a dispensing apparatus for bottles and the like, which is characterized by its large bottle holding and dispensing capacity resultant of a bottle support or carrier constructed to support a multiplicity of bottles in an ascending or descendin helical or spiral series, and by the presence of means for advancing the bottles along the support to effect their discharge singly and successively from the support into a, delivery opening.

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide a dispensing apparatus in which the bottle advancing means is operable in one direction to permit loading of the support with bottles, and in another direction to effect dispensing of the bottles.

A further purpose of my invention is the provision of a dispensing apparatus wherein the bottle support'is of helical form, andthe means for moving the bottles on the support is operable to advance the bottles upwardly of the support for successive discharge into a delivery opening in the top of the cabinet in which the apparatus is contained.

Another purpose of my invention is the provision of a dispensing apparatus in which the bottle support is normally stationary, and the bottle moving means is operable to advance the bottles downwardly'on the support to a delivery opening in the bottom of the cabinet, but where the bottle support can be made movable with the bottle moving means when loading the support with bottles, and in a manner to prevent delivery of bottles during the loading operation.

Still another purpose of my invention is the provision of an apparatus particularly designed for the dispensing singly of round bottles of nonuniform diameter, and wherein the bottles are maintained separate one from the other and supported to roll on the helical support, whereby partly broken away, the bottle support and moving means of the first formof dispensing apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the first form of dispensingapparatus as it appears in the cabinet of a vending machine.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary Vertical sectional view showing one means embodying my invention of eiiecting' automaticdischarge of a bottle into the top delivery openin of the vending machine cabinet, and the automatic opening of a door normally closing the delivery opening.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the door shown in Fig. 4. 1

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view showing the bottle delivery cam' of Fig. 4 on a reduced scale.

Fig. 8 is a-verticalv sectional view of another form of dispensing apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

'Fig. 10'is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of the;bottle support in'advancing means of the apparatus shown in Figv 8.

Fig; 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line .I l-ll of Fi 8.

Referring specifically to-the drawings my invention is seen to comprise a bottle support or carriage designated generally at S, and which includes a vertical centrally positioned nonrotatable axle l5 supportedat its lower end by head It which in turn is adapted to be supported on the bottom ll of a cabinet C. A non-rotatable cylinder l8; preferably of .sheet metal, is fixed concentrically to the. axle [5 by an upper spider comprising 'a ,rim 19', spokes 2D, and a hub 25 secured by welding to the axle l5. Atits lower end the cylinder is secured to the axle by a similar spider comprising a rim 22, spokes 23, anda hub 24.

That part of the bottle support upon which the bottles are directly mounted comprises a helical track T having an inner rail 25 and an outer rail 25. The inner rail 25 is fixedto the outer periphery of the cylinder [8 by radial studs 21 arranged in a helical series and sufficiently strong adequately to support the rail and the load of the bottles thereon. The outer rail 26 is similarly supported by relatively long studs 28 arranged in a plurality of vertical series, with the studs of @3611 series secured'at their inner ends to the h ot l s a e" rail 26 and at their outer ends to vertical and preferably flat rods 29. The upper ends of these rods are connected to each other by an annular band 30, and at their lower ends by a plurality of arms 3| extending radially from a hub 32 suitably fixed to the axle l5 above supporting head I6.

As will be clear from the illustration of the bottles B in Figs. g1, Q arid 3, the spaced rails 25 and 26 of th itrack llprovide'a helical support for a multiplicity of bottles, with the inner rail supporting the neck of each bottle, and the outer rail supporting the butt end thereof. glh e bottles upon the track extend horizontally in side by cording to the length of the bottle to be accommodated by the dispensing apparatus. To the end of adapting the track for the desired smooth rolling action of the bottles thereon, as described,

, be a multiple of the circumference of the bottle T at the position thereof rolled on the outer track rail 2.6 4a position adjacent the butt end) and side relationship in a helicalseries about the cylinder l8 for the entire slength of the .track which thus provides a relatively large bottle supporting capacity. r

The bottles are adapted to be advanced upwardly of the track T through the provision of a bottle moving means which may comprise a wheel W ro at bl ahout the air-1e it a a center and c t uct d storm ind vidua ca s t the not: tles so that under rotatiye movement thereof the bottles are col cc ive yadvanced i s ace ;re i

n n- This whee 319M661? nide having a hub towns-dead .cn t earle 41. and

onne ted by radia spok s a?! t ts E n;

Secured to'and extending radially from i ,h 35 is an an ular seriesof a are r i y co nected at thei wont en a .wire ring 3]. the lower ends of an inner annular series of The arms :3 5, .provide supports ior 'to causethe length of the inner track rail 25 "to ibe-zthe same multiple of the circumferenceof the bottle at the position (the neck) thereof rolled on said track rai1 25. The multiple may be either a whole ugger or a fractional number, the significant feature being that the ratio of the length of the outerrail to that'of the inner rail should be substantially equal to the ratio of the respective rails.

The entire structure "as eescrih a that those parts comprisin the :bottl suppo "and apparatus is inconnoratedcina Mattie mendin vertical wastes and an outer annular series of 7 vertical rods 39. The nods s38 andzdd carried by each .bar 36 are secured rmerto'ithe other .a short distance below their bars 40.

As an additional means for securing the Men-- tical rods 38 and-39 -in upright position and against possible bending, -I provident their upper ends an outer annular series of horizonta1 Joars M, and an inner annular series of relatively short horizontal bars 42. The bars Mare secured to and upper ends gby radial .cross' extend radially inwardfrbm a ring 43. The .bars

42 are secured to and extndfradially outwardly from an inner ring or rim situated immediately 7 innerseriesiof rods fi are positionedad acent the outer side of the inrir'rail 25% theses and space the necks of the'bottlesI Thus ujiidger'irotiative vement 9 th ir? clii fess wa 3 1,3 3 ri l r se the 9. l n th rails and in 951. d rects 9. r d p d n 1 119 t e dresser 9 Inter r 9 wheel. In this manner the lg ot tles re individually and not collectively advanc'eliin raises Fells anneal n a r lationsh p ss l am,

s 9 settles. r r

m em n c the PM the le- Ansle v pro ded by :tions about the cy deg. ltihgparept .in F

th the an fiia k in? t 9 h a 3. a as-rad l s d to en ag a? scree s 2 i l tat le? si wi re at e low te e a u e t s ep th bottled re a ess 2 e er 'q ee n it Lu se a '15 SE 9 F machine, .suitable'means is provided for drivin 7 the wheel W :to efiecti-d file l inggdf aEQ ZI IQS and to facilitate loading of rtheztrack bottles. Inthe'present instancasuch wheel drivin means m y prise'a rina eear...4l ifixedly secured to --.the ring 4.3 for rotation therewith and constantly meshing with .aipinion: 4E8 :fixed to the shaft All of an electric motor -&0. illt will he understood that depending upon the direction .Qi totation ofZthe motor shaft the pinion 4.8; through the .gear'Al, .will drive the wheel 'ingone' direction .orthe other; When .the wheel 1W driven in .anlqq ir wise direction, as when viewed in Fig. '3, the that:

tles radially'stacked on the stationary track -T,

will be individually .engag'ed'lay the rods .39 and 3 8 and rolled collectively upwardly .of the track rails to position the uppermost bottle in .aldelivery opening 5| in the 1 01) :52 of the'cabin'etiC ({flig. .4).

In order that each battle as moved .to the deliver opening'may be accessible for removal, provision is made foriautomatically slitting it from the track T and into the opening. In this instance acam'53utEigs. :51and flfds'pnovided for the purpose, and .is-formed with a flange .54 secured by screws @550," to aunderside or the extends downwardly from above the upper ends of the track rails 25 and 26 .to .a .;poi1 .-t*-.between the rails so that the bottle in its movement 'upwardly on the track rails-under the force exerted by the wheel rods 39 andr38 will'ride onto and upwardly of the cam and-into the delivery opening', as'illustratedinbroken :lines in Fig. 5.

As the interior of-theoabinet ;G is adapted by suitable iefr'igeration to be maintained at a in i. s 9u1i be si li rese a 9 r 55 is provided to close the opening beingmounted b h n es .6 c sy neirsnq e eee u w rd t the" ve t a iicsitichls i vn in tra t r i es is rig. .4. 1 z

the door is ed i trit sens rs? he Ma ette ar a position that edge of the delivery opening toy vhi ch Automatic opening'of the door 55 with each discharge of a bottle upwardly into the delivery opening, is effected by a cam 'I.' This cam is secured by a flange 58 and screws 59 to the underside of the door (Fig. 6) so that its lower inclined edge will be engaged by the bottle as it moves upwardly to throw the door to open position. It is clearly apparent that the convergent relation of the cams 53 and 51 respectively, as shown in Fig. 4 causes the cams to exercise a cooperative effect as each bottle in its movement upwardly on the track rails is urged between the cams. The cam 53 urges the bottle upwardly and the cam 51 translates upward and continued helical movement of the bottle into increased upward pivoting of the door 55 resulting in asudden impelling of the door into the position shown in broken line in Fi 4.

To load the track T with bottles rotation of the wheel W in a counterclockwise direction, as when viewed in Fig. 3, may be effected manually or by so energizing the motor 50 that its shaft 159 and pinion 48 will drive the ring gear 41in the desired direction to advance the bottles downwardly on the track T. As the wheel is rotated bottles can be singly and successively lowered into the opening 5| to positions between arcuately spaced inner and outer rods 38 and 39, respectively, as they pass below the opening, so the bottles being pointed inwardly that the neck of each bottle reposes on the inner rail and the butt end thereof on the outer rail 26. In this manner the track can be loaded from the top, the bottles being forced downwardly until they define a helical series about the cylinder I8, each bottle being positioned horizontally and radiall .ofthe cylinder.

In the adaptation of my dispensing apparatus to a coin controlled bottle vending machine, operation of the motor 50 to cause dispensing of the bottles may be effected by any suitable coin controlled electrical circuit, and as the circuit forms no part of my invention it has not been illustrated.

With the track T loaded as described, the deposit of a coin operates to energize the motor 59 for the required period to rotate the wheel W in a clockwise direction as when viewed in Fig. 3, and for a distance suflicient to discharge the uppermost bottle of the helical series into the delivery opening under the elevating action of the cam 53 as has been described. This is followed accompanied by opening of the door 55 through coaction of the bottle and the door cam 51 to allow the vendee to remove the bottle readily. From a consideration of Fig. 4 it will be clear that the bottle next in the rear of the one vended, is not accessible for removal because it is sufficiently removed from the delivery opening to prevent the gripping thereof and is also spaced by a pair of rods 38 and 39. Manifestly foregoing operation if the wheel, in response to the successive deposit of coins in the machine, is actuated in a step-by-step sequence to advance the bottles upwardly of the track T to deliver them singly and successively to the opening 5| the apparatus may be completely emptied of bottles. It is also clear that the short bars 4| and 42 near the tops of the rods 38 and 89 leave an unobstructed annular space thereabove and between the rods to accommodate the cam 53 without interfering with rotation of the wheel, and allow the bottles to be singly ejected or removed from the delivery opening.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to 11, I have here shown the second formof dispensing apparatus which is likewise incorporated in a vending machine, and which broadly is an inversion of my first form of apparatus. That is to say, the bottles instead of being advanced upwardly of the helical track and delivered at the top of the cabinet, are advanced downwardly of the track and delivered at the bottom of the cabinet. This mode of bottle delivery obviously necessitates a difierent mode of bottle loading, as will be described hereinafter.

This second form of dispensing apparatus comprises a shaft 60 vertically supported in the: cabinet CI by suitablebearings 5| and 62 in the top and bottom cabinet walls 83 and 64. An upper spider comprising a rim 85, spokes 66,- and a hub 61, and a lower spider comprising like elements 68, 69, and III, are secured to the shaft to fixedly support a cylinder II thereon.

A helical series of studs I2 fixedly support the inner rail I3 of the helical track TI on the cylinder II, while the outer rail I4 of the track is supported by studs I5 secured to vertical rods I6. The rods I6, in turn, are secured at their lower ends to an annular band 11, and at their upper ends to the outer ends'of spokes I8 radiating from a hub I9 pinned to the shaft 89.

As in the first form of my-apparatus the foregoing structure constitutes the helical bottle support or carriage upon which the bottles are adapted to be stacked in a helical series about the cylinder, each bottle being positioned horizontally and radially of the cylinder, and with its neck innermost.

The wheel W I for individually moving the bottles upwardly or downwardly of the track TI, likewise comprises an inner annular series of vertical rods 8|, and an outer annular series of vertical rods 82 arranged between the rails I3 and I4 to engage the bottles transversely between their ends. These rods 81 and 82 are at their upper ends, secured to arms 83 radiating from a rim 84 of an upper spider including spokes 85 and a hub 88 journaled on the shaft 89 between the hubs 61 and I9. The arms 83 are braced by a Wire ring 81 secured thereto adjacent their outer ends. The lower ends of the rods BI and 82 are secured respectively to bars 88 and 89 secured respectively to a rim 98 and a ring 9|. The rim 9!! is part of a lower spider which includes spokes 92 and a hub 93 journaled on the shaft 59 below the hub '19. The ring 9| has secured to its outer side a ring gear 94 which meshes with a pinion 95 on the shaft 95 of an electric motor 91. Brace bars 98a rigidly connect the rods 8| and 82 just above the bars 88 and 89.

The bottom wall 84 of the cabinet formed with a delivery opening 98 normally closed by door 99 having a spring hinge Hill for urging it to closed position. The hinge is mounted on a box-like structure I! which provides an opening I02 in the side wall I93 of the cabinet, and leading from this opening is a chute I M for receiving a bottle as it is discharged from the cabinet. A mercury switch I95 is mounted on the door 99 so that as the door is closed or opened the switch is closed or opened.

The elements described in the preceding paragraph are not new to my present invention, but are disclosed in my Patent No. 2,290,275 issued July 21, 1942. As in this patent the switch I85 is embodied in a coin controlled circuit for energizing the motor 91, and it operates to permit reenergization of the motor by the coin controlled circuit only after a discharged bottle has been removed by the vendee from the chute I04, for

71 until then the bottle retains the'door in open position to maintain the switch I open. 7 Y

As shown in Fig. 8, this side wall I03 of the cabinet is provided with a bottle loading opening I06 normally closed by a door I01. Throughthis opening the track TI can be initially loaded with bottles, or reloaded when empty. Incidentto this loading or reloading it is necessary in order to prevent bottles being discharged from either end of the track TI,-that the wheel WI be locked to the track for rotation, therewith, Also, in order that the wheel WI may when rotated in the proper direction by the motor 91, operate to discharge bottles fromthe track into the delivery opening 98, it is necessary that the track be locked against rotation and in. a position in which its lower end is just to that side of the delivery opening which will permit. the bottles falling into the opening (Fig. 9). V a V v U For the dual purposes just described a latchis provided (Figs. 8 and 10) which is accessible through opening of a door I08 in the top of the cabinet. This latch may comprise an arcuate bill I09 pivoted as at I I0 on one of the spokes '18,- and a, U-shaped keeper III secured to the inner side of the cabinet top. The lower end H2 of the latch bar I09 is bifurcated to engage the upper edge of any one of the arms 83 of the wheel.

In the lowered position of the latch bar It?!v (Fig. 8) wherein its end H2 engages one ofthe spokes 18, the wheel WI is locked to the bottle support so that the track TI is rotatable in either direction with the rods BI and 82 to'allow loading of the track through the opening Ills and without discharge of bottles from either end of the track. It will be understood. that rotation of the wheel and the track in either direction to effect such loading may be accomplished manual y or by operation of the motor 91. In the elevated position of the latch I09 (Fig. '10) whereinit enga es the keeper II I, the wheel WI is freed for rotation; while the bottle support is locked a ainst; rotation and in such position that the lower'end of the track TI is in the position shown in Fig. 9.

In the operation of the apparatus to effect dis- Iclaimi a 1. In a dispensingapparatus: an enclosed chamber havinga'delivery opening at the bottom thereof; and a loading opening at the sidethere- V of; a helical support for articles within said chamber and rotatable about a vertical axis past said loading opening; means for latching said support against rotating movement; rotary article fe ding means for advancing articles downwardly of said support for discharge ntos d delivery pe ing when said support is latched; and means for latching said support to said feedi g means for rotation therewith in either direction to allow loading of said support with articles hrough said loadin opening without discharge of articles into said delivery opening,

2. In a dispensing apparatus: a cabinet havin a bottom delivery opening, and a side loading opening; a helical article support rotatable within said cabinet about a vertical axis'and accessible through said loading opening; .article feeding means rotatable within said cabinet; and latching means within said cabinet movable to one position in which said support is held stationary while said feeding means is rotatable'jinone direction to 'feed articles downwardly of said sup-' port for discharge therefrom into s'aid delivery opening and to another position 'in which said support and said feeding means are'rotatable t0- gether and in either direction to allow article loading of said support through said loading opening withoutdischarge of articles from said sup port. V

3. In a dispensing apparatus: a cabinet having a bottom delivery opening, and aside loading opening; a helical article support rotatable within said cabinet about a vertical axis and accessible through said loading jopeni'ng'; article feeding means rotatable within said cabinet; and a latch a within said cabinet having a keeper fixed to said pensing of bottles, the motor 91 when energized and 14 to fall through the delivery opening 98 onto the door 99, as shown in dash lines'in Fig. 8Q The weight of the bottle swings the door downwardly to engage the chute I04, thusallowing the bottle to slide into the chute where itis accessible:

to the vendee. Y o 7 It will be understood that as in the first form of my apparatus, energization of the motor 9'! is only for a period suflicient to rotate the wheel WI a distance to cause a single bottle to be 7 delivered into. the chute, and that the motor cannot be reenergized by the'deposit of a succeeding coin until the delivered bottle has been'removed from the chute to allow reclosing of the switch I05 by return of the door 99 to closed position.

Although I have herein shown and described only a preferred form of dispensing apparatus cabinet, and a bill mounted on said support and movable to one position in which it engages said keeper to hold said support against rotation, and

* to another position in which it engages said feeding means so that said support and said feeding means are rotatable together to allow article loading of said support through Saidloading .open- 7 7 me without port. 7 7 a 7 7 I a disp nsing appar us: a cabinet havi g disch rge of arti l r m. sa d slipa loading opening and a delivery openings. helical support for articles mounted for rotation about its axis in the cabinetin a substantially erect po-' sition for movement past the loading and delivery openings, a rotary article feeding ineansrotatably mounted in the cabinet concentrically of the heli-' cal support for rotary motion relative .to said embodying my invention, it'is to be un er tood 7 that various changes and modifications maybe 7 made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit helical support, said feedi g'means having portions in arrangement with the support to engage articles borne thereby, and means for locking said support against rotation .in the cabinet.

5. In a dispensing apparatus: a cabinet having a loading opening and a delivery opening, a helical support for articles mounted for rotation about its axis in the cabinet for movement past the loadmg opening, a, rotary article feedingmeans roe tatably' mounted in the cabinet concentrically of the helical support for'rotary motion relative to said helical support, the feeding means defining compartments for articles on the support which compa ts a succes ive y mo able pa he delivery opening by relative rotational movement Ofthe support and f ding means, and means optionally nterconnecting theghelical support and the feeding means for unitary rotational movement past the loading opening.

6. In a bottle dispensing apparatus: a cabinet, a helical bottle support mounted in the cabinet in an erect position for rotation about its axis adapted to receive bottles radially thereon for rolling movement longitudinally of the support, a rotary bottle feeding means rotatably mounted on the cabinet concentrically of the helical support for rotation relative to said helical support and engagement with bottles arranged thereon, and means alternatively employed to lock the support against rotation in the cabinet for rotation of the feeding means relative thereto and to interconnect the support and the feeding means for unitary rotational movement of said support and feeding means relative to the cabinet.

HARRY S. CHILDERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

